substance abuse

[Ripley200]

I have been taking Xanax for over fourteen years, is this too long to be on this type of drug?

[SophieShine]

Xanax has been proven ineffective for long time use.
If you really wanna stop it, as said above, contact your dr and establish a tapering plan, a very slow one, it's the key to success. Most dr switch you to a long acting benzo like Valium to ease the wd's.
Here is the link to a site which is the reference in the matter : http://www.benzo.org.uk/
and here is an example of tapering plan: http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/bzsched.htm#s7
If I can help you in any way, please contact me, I have been tapering off very high dosage of short and long acting benzo for about 2 years, finally free.
Best of luck to you. sophie

[refusingbondage]

Do you abuse the xanax?  Do you want to come off it?  I am not sure what the long term recommendations are, but I do know for SURE that you cannot just stop taking it.  If you want to come off - its got to be slow and steady with xanax.  Its dangerous to just stop.  Talk to your doctor about a long slow taper.  Anything is possible and you can certainly come off of it if you want to, just make sure to do a proper long and slow taper.  Good luck.

[gizzy32]

How much are you taking? Do you want to stop? If so, talking to your dr and finding a good taper plan would be a good idea, you don't want to cold turkey xanax. Good luck.